Finding the right tools is crucial when it comes to children and website building. It's important that these tools are not only age-appropriate in terms of ability to create but also safe for children to use.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of creating websites with and tailored for your children. Whether you're a parent looking to introduce your child to the basics of web development, an educator seeking resources for classroom activities or a young aspiring developer ready to take on the challenge of building your first website, this article is for you.
Why should kids learn to build websites?
In today's tech-driven world, understanding the basics of web development is becoming as fundamental as reading and writing. You might wonder why children should get involved in website building at an early age, here are just some of them.
To learn more about building websites for and with children, check out Wix Tomorrow.
Fosters problem-solving skills
Learning to build a website requires kids to think critically and solve problems as they arise. Even children can understand the fundamentals of website navigation and how to structure a website to make it easy to use. This example of decision-making, of which there are lots when creating a website, is an essential skill and can be applied to many other areas of life.
Encourages creativity
Website creation allows kids to express themselves through design, layout and content—all of which boosts their creative abilities. When designing a website, even if working with a website template there are plenty of options for easy customization. Choosing a color scheme and then determining the layout of pages within the site, all offer plenty of opportunity for creativity.
Website building allows kids to see the results of their efforts in real time and share their creations with friends and family. Whether it's a personal blog, an online portfolio for school projects or a virtual lemonade stand, the possibilities are endless.
Teaches technical skills
Even when using a website builder, children can learn more about what makes it work. Just because a website can be built easily without any coding knowledge, doesn't exclude the possibility of using website creation as an opportunity to teach children about how they work.
This goes hand in hand with teaching children digital literacy—encouraging them to understand how the web works and how they can use it more responsibly.
Once a website is live, children can be taught how to track traffic to their site. In-built tools such as Wix Analytics make this intuitive to do. Older children and teenagers can be taught to understand key website metrics such as traffic sources, organic traffic and even some basic search engine optimization (SEO) practics. Many website builders also include SEO assistants, that can walk older children through the basics of this marketing field.
Gives a competitive edge
With digital literacy being so important, early exposure to web development can give children a head start in a world where technology plays a major role in almost every field and industry.
By introducing children to website building, you're not just giving them a new hobby you're equipping them with skills that will serve them throughout their lives. And with platforms designed specifically for young users, getting started has never been easier or safer.
Whether it empowers them to create an online student portfolio for college applications, or a powerful resume when they first start job hunting or whether they decide to go into web development or even digital marketing as a career, there are multiple examples of how early website building skills can benefit children for a long time.
Website creation for kids: how to make a website
If you're still thinking that creating a website is a complex task reserved for adults or tech-savvy teens we're here to change your mind. With the right guidance and tools, even children as young as 8 to 10 can design and publish their own websites.
01. Choose a child-friendly website builder
Start by selecting a platform that will be easy for kids to use—look for features like easy-to-use interfaces, drag-and-drop functionality and pre-designed templates.
It's also best to choose a website builder that includes web hosting and a domain name, as well as advanced security features to protect your child's site from malicious cyber attacks.
Learn more: What is a .com domain?
Looking to create a site in minutes? Opt for an AI website builder. This is a good option for busy educators or if your child has a very specific type of website in mind, that they want to build quickly.
02. Pick a template
Website templates are the foundation of website building and they often come with pre-set designs and layouts which can be customized. Encourage your child to choose one that matches the theme or purpose of their website.
For example:
03. Customize the design
Let your child's creativity shine through by allowing them to customize their templates. They can change the colors, fonts and images to make their site unique. While it might be tempting to give your input on what you think looks best, it's important to let children test and trial their own ideas. Choosing, then reviewing and editing their choices is an important learning process for children in any creative task.
04. Add content
Content is key to any website. Help or teach your child how to add text, photos and videos that are relevant to their site's topic. Many website builders, like Wix, include a large bank of images of their own or from Shutterstock, for children to choose from to add to their website.
If they're interested, you might also encourage your child to take their own photos or create their own videos for their site.
05. Confirm safety features
Building a website can be a great way to teach your child about the importance of staying safe online—from choosing extra-safe passwords to multi-factor authentication, there are plenty of ways to show children how creating online can be fun and safe.
Choose a website builder, like Wix, where all sites come with 24/7 security monitoring to protect against online attacks.
06. Publish the website
Once your child is happy with their creation, it's time to publish it for the world to see. Make sure they understand that once online, anyone can view their site. You might also want to talk to them about indexing and how search engines, such as Google crawl and find websites to provide answers to searches.
You can also use this as an example to show how even once published, websites can be changed and edited. It's a great way to teach children that sometimes we create something we're not completely happy with but after testing and reviewing it, we can go back and improve on it.
07. Share with friends and family
Sharing their new website can be a proud moment for any child, so encourage them to share it with close friends and family members first.
Remember, the goal is not just to create a website but also to enjoy the process of learning and creation. By making it fun and engaging, you'll help foster a love for technology that could last a lifetime and perhaps even influence their career path one day.
How to choose the right template for a kid's website
When it comes to building a website, starting with the right template can make all the difference, especially for young minds eager to bring their vision to life. Many website builders, including Wix, offer a variety of templates (in the hundreds) that are perfect for kids' projects, all designed to be both appealing and easy to use. Here's how you can help your child select the best template for their website.
Consider their website's purpose
Is your child creating a blog, a portfolio for their artwork or perhaps a one-page website for a school project? The content and goal of the website should guide the choice of template.
Here are a few that might spark the interest of your child:
Look for fun and engaging designs
Many kids are drawn to bright colors and dynamic elements, so choose templates with these features to keep them excited about their website. Remind them that they can also build on these fun designs with their own color and font choices.
Prioritize editing flexibility
Kids' ideas and likes change as they grow, sometimes quite quickly. With this in mind, pick a template that is easily adjustable so they can update it as their interests evolve.
Then encourage your child to include multimedia elements like photos and videos to make their site more engaging. From social media feeds to contact forms, interactive widgets not only make the website more functional but also teach kids about different web components.
Choose simplicity
A simple layout will be easier for your child to understand and work with, it also helps visitors navigate the site more easily and is good for the site's user experience or UX. You can always add elements and functionality to the template as your child's website-building skills develop.
Best practices for creating a child-friendly website
Designing a website that is both appealing and suitable for children requires a careful approach. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when helping kids create their own websites, making sure that the end result is not only fun but also user-friendly and safe.
Simple and clean design: A clutter-free website is easier for kids to navigate. You can achieve this with clear headings and by not overcrowding the page with too many elements. For many children, this will be part of the learning process, as they understand that as with so many things, less is often more in web design too.
Double-check that all content is age-appropriate: All text, images and videos should be suitable for children. This includes avoiding complex language and confirming visuals are child-friendly.
Intuitive navigation: Large buttons, straightforward menus and clear calls to action help young users move around the site without getting lost or frustrated. They're also easier to move around and to adjust the sizing of.
Optimize for different devices: With kids accessing websites on various devices, you can opt for a mobile-friendly website or a responsive site.
Include interactive learning tools: Add quizzes, puzzles and games that are not only fun but also educational. These tools can help reinforce learning in subjects like math, science or language arts.
Embed educational videos: Select videos that are informative and entertaining—make sure to screen them to check they're age-appropriate and that you have permission to use them on your site.
Create a blog: Encourage kids to write blog posts about what they're learning—enabling them to build their literacy skills and allow them to share their knowledge with others.
Offer downloadable resources: Provide worksheets, eBooks or lesson plans that visitors can download from the site. By weaving educational content into the fabric of the website, you're turning it into a resource that can support a child's growth and development. It becomes more than just a platform for expression—it's a space for learning and discovery.
How to use building a website to inspire a child's creativity
A website can serve as a powerful platform for kids to showcase their creativity and achievements. It's a space where they can share their projects, ideas and learning milestones either with family, peers or your wider community. Here's how you can help children use their website to foster both creativity and learning:
Create a portfolio
Allow kids to post their artwork, writing samples or science projects. This not only celebrates their work but also encourages them to keep creating. It's also a great way to record your child's work over many years, acting as a keepsake too.
Feature an About Me page
Encourage kids to write about themselves, their interests and what they're learning. This helps them develop self-expression and storytelling skills. This is also a good opportunity to share with children how important it is to protect private information online and that they should never share personal information, such as their address or similar online.